According to businesscarriers, Honduras is one of the most economically backward countries in Latin America. GDP in 2002 amounted to 6.45 billion dollars, mainly due to foreign investment in the non-productive sector (tourism, “free zones”). The basis of the economy is agriculture. It employs St. 1/2 of the total economically active population. The main crops are bananas, coffee, tobacco, sugar cane, corn, rice, legumes. A significant part of the land is concentrated in the hands of large landowners. Inflation 6.5%, unemployment – approx. 60% of economically active population (2002). OK. 76% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Industry (21% of the economically active population) is poorly developed and is represented mainly by small mining enterprises (lead, zinc, silver, gold), as well as enterprises for the processing of agricultural products. In the 1990s in the north of the country, the so-called. free production zones in which sewing enterprises are located.
Natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch, October-November 1998), frequent floods were accompanied by human casualties and severe destruction, which led to the deterioration of the country’s main macroeconomic parameters in these years. However, the receipt of large-scale assistance from abroad allowed the government to implement the “Plan of National Revival”, which somewhat softened the economic situation.
External debt in 2001 amounted to $4.2 billion. 1999 Honduras was included in the so-called. Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs), leading to large external debt cancellations.
The country’s foreign trade turnover in 2001 amounted to more than 4.48 billion dollars. Export – 1.28 million dollars (bananas, coffee, timber, seafood, sugar, lead, zinc, silver); imports of more than 3 billion dollars (consumer goods, machinery and equipment, fuel, fertilizers). The trade deficit ($1.92 billion) was partially covered by transfers of Honduran citizens from abroad. Main trading partners: USA (more than 50% of exports and 30% of imports), Venezuela, Mexico, countries of Central America, Germany, Japan.
Trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and Honduras does not yet meet the potential of the parties. The Trade Agreement has been in force since 1990 (signed in 1987), but so far there have been no direct trade operations between the Russian Federation and Honduras. Economic ties are limited to trade operations through intermediary firms of third countries, their volume fluctuates greatly from year to year.
The trade turnover between the Russian Federation and Honduras in 2002 amounted to 9 million dollars (in 1997 – 3.6 million dollars, in 1998 – 7.0 million dollars, in 1999 – 11.5 million dollars, in 2000 – 12.5 million dollars). dollars, in 2001 – 14.5 million dollars). Russian goods worth $7.0 million were exported to Honduras. receives from Honduras coffee, raw sugar, pineapple juice, lumber.
Science and culture of Honduras
Among the sights of Honduras, of great interest is Copan, the ceremonial center of the Mayan empire, as well as the ruins of ancient defensive structures in Tenampua. Architectural monuments of the colonial era: the church of de Fuerte in Trujillo (end of the 16th century), the church of the 17th century. in Omka and the Cathedral of the 18th century. in Coma Yagua. In Tegucigalpa there is the Virgen de los Dolores church (18th century), the National Museum with the richest exposition of archaeological, ethnographic and natural exhibits; the presidential palace and the modern building of the National Assembly, as well as the National School of Fine Arts.
There are daily newspapers, 4 TV channels, 1 public and 2 private universities.
The Honduran side is in favor of intensifying contacts in the humanitarian sphere. In this regard, a noticeable interest is shown in the development of cultural ties with the Russian Federation. November 4, 1994 in Tegucigalpa signed an intergovernmental agreement on cultural, scientific and technical cooperation.
